Timothy Durey. Na 07.
New Attitude 2007 was a great experience for me. Before the conference, I had recently studied through “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper with our senior high ministry, and I was growing and loving God. It was in this type of situation that God decided to give me an even clearer picture of his love and my frailty.
I met God in a greater way was during a message by C.J. Mahaney on Idolatry. Through that message, God granted me a sorrowful-yet-joyful repentance. As I sat in the message, I recall C.J. tearing up (and trying to contain himself) as he recounted a story of when he was reminded again of what he deserved and how kind God is. At that point I was saying to myself things like, “Wow, I want to have that type of sorrow for sin. I want to see Jesus in that way. I want that type of response when I think about God rescuing me from deserved wrath.” As the session went on, I was engrossed in the message – hearing what idolatry is and how sinful it is. But, personally, I couldn’t get away from the emotion and love for Christ that C.J. exuded from the platform. I knew I loved God, but I wanted more. At the end of the session, everyone was given time to reflect. I couldn’t hold it in. The tears flowed and I experienced a comforting repentance in the loving embrace of God. I can’t explain it, and it wasn’t something that I can conjure up, but it was a blessing from God.
I took a picture of the chair that I sat in as a reminder of the grace of God towards me and the work he did in my heart. That picture is still in my office. And, by God’s grace, I will never forget his work. That should remind me that he always (especially today) desires to draw me closer to him. When God saturates me with the truths of his love for me, I’m a better husband, father, pastor and friend! It’s all because of Jesus I am who I am today.
